The rule proposes to establish allowable vehicle types, and provides options for types of vehicles and establishes conditions.

The Child Care and Education Committee, serving as the Council’s Rules Advisory Committee, conducted a work session on the vehicle rule in February and May, 2017. In May, the Early Learning Council conducted a first reading of the proposed rule forwarded by the Child Care Education Committee. The consensus of the council was adopt rule revisions following the public comment period

The new rule may incur a financial impact to those child care providers that are presently using a vehicle that is manufactured prior to 2010. They may have to pay for annual vehicle safety inspections as required by the new rule. The new rule should minimize the financial impact for providers as they consider the purchase of vehicles for use when transporting child care children.

The proposed rule was submitted to the Secretary of State as part of the formal rulemaking process and published in the June Secretary of State Bulletin. The public comment period closes on June 21, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Comments may be emailed to Lisa.pinheiro@ode.state.or.us, or mailed to Lisa Pinheiro, Oregon Early Learning Division, 775 Summer Street NE., Suite 300, Salem, OR 97301.